Glimpses of Chhattisgarh --- Part 5

Gangrel Dam, Dhamtari

We travelled by taxi for 7 hours and reached Gangrel Dam at 3 PM.  

Gangrel Dam, also called the Ravishankar Dam is built along the breadth of the river Mahanadi within the Dhamtari District and is quite a well-known spot amongst visitors for its serene scenic views and pretty engaging and mind-blowing water games that it offers.

Hydroelectric Power Plant Information

The Gangrel Hydel Power Project was developed here to produce 10 MV power capacity. It supplies power for certain nearby areas. This dam stores 15,000 cusecs of water. It is not only the biggest dam but also the longest dam within the state of Chhattisgarh.

Reservoir, Boating & Water Sports

The reservoir offers a lot of unique and common water sports. Somewhere in the middle of the reservoir is a stationed boat where you can be dropped by other boats and you have some refreshments stationed in the boat in the middle of the reservoir.

This place, with its picturesque island, enriched flora and fauna becomes a must-visit place in monsoon season and in winter when along with greenery you can also enjoy the cold air.

Various water sports are arranged for though at a very high price. The list of water sports includes Jet skiing, Water surfing, Water skiing, Scuba Diving, Sailing, Parasailing, and Kite surfing, paddle boating, speed boating, kayaking which have been recently started.

Resort Facility

On the bank of this reservoir, the Chhattisgarh State Tourism Board has their property as a Resort Facility where tourists can book to stay. From this resort, you can enjoy the breathtaking views of the sunrise.

How You Can Reach Here

This reservoir is about 15 KM from Dhamtari and about 75 to 90 KM from Raipur. You can reach here by air from Raipur Airport where prepaid taxis are easily available for Gangrel Dam. Or else you can take any regular bus services from Raipur or can also reach here using Raipur – Dhamtari narrow gauge railways.

 

Attractions Near Mahanadi (View 1)

Attractions Near; Boating On Mahanadi (View 1)

Attractions Near; Boating On Mahanadi (View 2)

Attractions Near; Jet Skiing On Mahanadi (View 1)

Attractions Near; Jet Skiing On Mahanadi (View 2)

Attractions Near; Kayaking On Mahanadi (View 1)

Attractions Near; Kayaking On Mahanadi (View 2)

 

Attractions Near; Boats Anchored On Mahanadi (View 1)

My Experience    

We were mesmerized watching such a vast river – Mahanadi. It was really a very great moment. To add to the thrill of the vastness of the river were many water sports available that really kept children and sports interested people excited and engaged. The rest of their family members were engaged watching them remain active through various water sports.   

Timings

At 6 PM it had to close and we were to leave the place. On the way, we had dinner outside.  We reached back Hotel around 9 PM. We had to pack everything as it was our last night in Chhattisgarh for this trip. After packing things we slept to wake up at 7 AM the next morning.   

    Gangrel Dam & Mahanadi

Bastar Palace

After getting fresh we went to a restaurant to have breakfast and then left for the next tourist spot. In some hours we reached Bastar Palace.

Rulers of Bastar

The Palace got its name from the name of the district. This palace was built by the Kakatiya Dynasty Kings when they shifted their capital from Barsur to Jagdalpur in prehistoric times. Bastar Palace, also known as Jagdalpur Palace had remained the most important administrative headquarters ever since the prehistoric times and the Kings who ruled, took care of the entire Bastar district from this palace. This palace has witnessed drastic changes in times, from the times of the Chalukyas to the times of Kakatiyas to the times of the British and also times beyond it.

Architecture of Palace

Despite several blows of the time the Palace stays unmatched and still, this makes it even more special to be explored and seen. This opulent, enchanting palace has been known for its splendour. 

A traditional cum colonial façade welcomes visitors. The palace is made up of White and Yellow Stone with great carving and Jali Work or the Lattice Screens Work done on it. The outside walls have light blue contrast work that makes it quite incomparable.

Walls and ceilings are decorated with various engaging drawings, impressive figurines and etchings. Many ornaments, weapons and clothes attract one’s attention. All Artefacts, Paintings, Artworks, Relics, Carvings and Singhaasana have been preserved within the Palace’s premises and the main visitor’s chamber of the palace is functional as a Museum.  These things together reflect and give us hints as to the history, culture and quality of everyday life in earlier times. Every room, wall, and corridor of this palace hides several of the real-life histories, and mysteries to unfold or explore which people interested in history come here to rejuvenate with the Culture and Heritage of Bastar. Every part of the Palace holds back certain unheard mysterious tales that historians world over are searching to narrate fascinating historical tales.

Passing various tall pillars, and finely decorated arches we reach the elegant royal halls. Perfectly symmetrical and well-designed towers and domes, with a central dome rising higher so as to provide a surrounding landscape view, make it all the more memorable architectural marvel showcasing the architectural skills of the time it was built. 

In sunlight the fort glitters, this is one speciality of its architecture. The Government of India had built a monument within the boundaries of this palace which has beautiful garden in the front of it. This palace is surrounded by gardens which visitors find is quite interesting. 

This palace is well connected with other parts of the state, hence, it is easy to reach. Complex outlines on dividers, upper parts of the palace rooms, carvings on pillars, walls and elsewhere in the palace make this palace special, inspiring and awesome. The Royal family still resides here.  

Nearby Tourist Places

Chitrakote Waterfall, Kotumsar Cave, Teerathgarh Waterfalls all are near the Bastar Palace.

Weather of Bastar

As Bastar experiences an extreme climate, summers with 37 Degrees Celsius would make you uncomfortable to go for a journey, it would be better that you visit Bastar in the winter season when the temperature ranges from 12 to 28 Degrees Celsius and when the precipitation is low.

How You Can Reach Here

Bastar Palace, being well connected by road with all key parts of the State can be reached by private transport like car or taxi or public transport like bus by road. Jagdalpur Station being about 17 KM away is the nearest railway station and Visakhapatnam Airport is the nearest Airport.

Festivals

The palace is specially decorated and gets lit up on every Dussehra.

Attractions Near Me; Bastar Palace (View 1)

Unlike the rest of India’s cause and way of celebrating Dussehra, tribal people and other people of Bastar celebrate Dussehra by worshipping Danteshwari Devi. During Dussehra worship ceremonies of Danteshwari Devi, including her rath yatra are arranged for and conducted. 

Royal Family, Bastar & Dussehra

In the 15th century for the first time the then King Purushaottam Deo arranged and celebrated Dussehra with such practices. Having Zamindar and other post personnel in administration as witnesses the control of the kingdom is transferred to the Diwan. In the ten-day festival, the royal family of Bastar considers the ancient arms of Danteshwari Devi as divine worship. The first day of Dussehra starts on the day of Kunwar Amavasya. On this first day of the festival transfer of control takes place. Before transferring power to Diwan, a girl considered to have spiritual powers stands in a warlike state holding a wooden sword. On Pratipada day, the second day of the festival arati and salami take place. On the ninth day Danteshwari Devi comes to the entrance of the city and the King of Bastar welcomes her. On the tenth day, the King organizes a darbar where people come forward and present their requests, and everyone performs an arati ceremony praying Dantreshwari Devi.

Timings

The Bastar Palace opens at 8 AM and closes at 6 PM. We spent one hour in the palace portion open for visitors. Much of the part of the palace is not open to visitors and is used for residential purposes.

Bastar Art Gallery, Jagdalpur

Then we moved to our last tourist destination – Bastar Art Gallery. For generations, the tribal communities have been protecting and promoting the Bastar Tribal art. Working with conventional tools they have made it famous in the world but still they don’t have the facility to use modern machinery. Their woodwork is used to make things exhibiting Bastar culture, statutes of gods and goddesses, various creatures, festivals and do decorations. Their bamboo art is used to make bamboo sheets, baskets, chairs, tables, mats living rooms and home furnishings. Their soil art is used to make pots, decorative utensils, statues of goddesses, vases and household furnishings. Their metal arts use copper and tin mixed with the metal to make idols of worship, tribal culture idols, statues of goddesses and home furnishings. have been fabulous to date.   

About Bastar Art Forms

The showpieces or items made by the Dhokra technique use cow dung, red soil, paddy husk and most important of all beeswax.

The Bell Metal Handicrafts and Dhokra handicrafts are today world famous but the process by which Chhattisgarh artisans make these is very painstaking.

Bastar Art Gallery, Jagdalpur (View 1)

Bastar Art Gallery, Jagdalpur (View 2)

 

Bastar Art Gallery, Jagdalpur (View 3)

 

Bastar Art Gallery, Jagdalpur (View 4)

Bastar Art Gallery, Jagdalpur (View 5)

Bastar Art Gallery, Jagdalpur (View 6)

Bastar Art Gallery, Jagdalpur (View 7)

A Model Tribal Arts Village (View 1)

A Model Tribal Arts Village (View 2)

A Model Tribal Arts Village (View 3)

My Experience                                                                                                                                            

After some minutes we reached the destined art gallery in Jagdalpur. It was the abode of such art forms that really expressed the emotions, feelings and everyday engagements of the Bastar tribal people. In a way, this gallery is keeping the traditional tribal art alive and is also working hard with all modern techniques to revive certain of its unknown spheres.

How You Can Reach Here   

Bastar Art Gallery is well connected by road with all key parts of the state and can be reached by private transport like car or taxi or public transport like bus by road.

Jagdalpur Station is the nearest railway station and Visakhapatnam Airport is the nearest Airport.  

Concluding Remark  

I felt that Bastar Tourism or Bastar Chhattisgarh Tourism is just incomparable. The way I enjoyed these places makes me wonder about my state if I could visit all CG Tourist Places. CG is the standard abbreviation for Chhattisgarh. I did not have till date sufficient time to visit all of the tourist places in Raipur Chhattisgarh itself, nature is so inspiring.

Gangrel Dam CG Tourism or Chhattisgarh Tourism Gangrel Dam was a nice sports-friendly spot with too much activity ongoing yet an extremely peaceful place. The hydroelectric power plant information was very enriching. Thanks to the CG Tourism, Bastar Tourism or Bastar Chhattisgarh Tourism for places to visit in Jagdalpur or Chhattisgarh were very nice.